As a Yankees fan, the season (and perhaps career) ending injury of Mariano Rivera has been tough news today. For those who are not aware, Mariano Rivera is one of the all-time great baseball players and a New York Yankee. He is one of the best pitchers in the history of the game. Indications were Mariano would retire after this season. He has always been considered a class act as a human being and player, never being connected with any sort of controversy or immorality. He has been as consistent over the past twenty years as any player in any sport, and last was on the disabled list for an injury 9 years ago.

Mariano is respected by his teammates and opponents alike. He is known as a generous, Christian family man. Given his history, everyone familiar with him hoped he would finish with yet another strong season, a fitting tribute to a good human being and superb athlete. No one would have dreamed his career might end in the outfield of Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City during batting practice while he was shagging fly balls and twisted his knee (tearing his ACL).

One of my initial thoughts about this situation was the sadness he surely feels. I also thought about the injustice of the situation. An apparently good, honest, upright man who worked hard and was respected by everyone goes out in such a tragic way. Granted, Mariano has millions of dollars to help comfort him–don’t get me wrong–but for me the deeper issue from a Christian perspective is the lack of justice in this situation.

I think most people consider justice to be a good and noble thing. However, true justice simply does not exist in this world. Furthermore, I would argue, it has little place in Christianity.

St Isaac the Syrian once said (I’m paraphrasing) God is not just. For where is the justice in the only sinless one dying for the sins of others? Now, this is not to say God is unjust, but rather that God exceeds justice (emphasizing a higher virtue of mercy and compassion). The reality is, through God’s grace, we have the possibility of not “getting what we deserve.” We have the possibility of repentance and forgiveness and restoration. Moreover, those in this world who suffer injustices are promised to be recompensed in the afterlife. This is the gist of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12). It is also reflected in the Magnificat from Luke’s Gospel: “He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich has He sent empty away” (Luke 1:53).

As Christians, we should spend much less time and energy thinking about “justice.” There is no justice in this world. Instead, in this world, we should focus on showing love, mercy, and compassion. These are the highest gifts, the greatest virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13). “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Matthew 9:13, see also Matthew 12:7).

i knew it wouldn’t be long before you made a baseball/scripture parallel, and what a excellent example. it will be a sad ending to such an amazing career. i pray God continues to show mercy on him, and grants him a speedy recovery. all of baseball will truly miss him